Mitsuhiro Arita: The Legendary Pokémon Illustrator Behind These 5 Most Valuable Cards
Mitsuhiro Arita is one of the most iconic and influential illustrators in the history of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). He began his journey with Pokémon in 1996, creating artwork for the original Base Set — including the legendary Charizard card that would go on to become one of the most recognized and valuable cards in the world.
Arita is known for his highly detailed, realistic, and cinematic art style, which sets his work apart from many other illustrators in the TCG world. His illustrations often carry a sense of weight, atmosphere, and emotion, giving each Pokémon a life of its own on the card.
With over 600 cards illustrated across decades, Arita's work spans generations of Pokémon fans. Beyond Pokémon, he has contributed artwork to franchises like Final Fantasy, Star Wars, and Monster Hunter, solidifying his place as a world-class fantasy artist.
Today, Arita is not only celebrated for his legacy but continues to be active in modern sets, events, and signings — often with long queues of collectors hoping to meet the artist behind their favorite childhood memories.
1. Charizard – Base Set 1st Edition
This is arguably the most famous Pokémon card in history. Arita’s fiery rendition of Charizard became a symbol of the TCG’s early boom, with mint-condition versions selling for over $100,000 at auction.
2. Charizard – Shadowless
Slightly less rare than the 1st Edition but still highly sought after, this version helped solidify Charizard's status as the face of Pokémon card collecting.
3. Umbreon (H29) - Aquapolis (AQ)
This secret rare card features one of the most beloved Eeveelutions, illustrated with Arita’s distinct, atmospheric flair. The holofoil background and dramatic lighting give Umbreon a mysterious, almost ethereal presence — making it a grail for both Eeveelution collectors and fans of the e-Reader era.
4. Houndoom - Neo Revelation (N3)
Houndoom's intense pose and vivid background firestorm make this card a standout. Arita’s art captures the raw, intimidating energy of this Dark-type Pokémon, earning it a reputation as one of the most visually striking cards from the Neo era.
5. Venusaur - Base Set (Shadowless) (BSS)
Often overshadowed by Charizard, this Venusaur remains a cornerstone of early TCG history. Arita's rich, botanical rendering gives Venusaur an almost ancient, regal aura — a perfect match for one of the original Kanto starters. The Shadowless version is particularly prized for its rarity and print history.
In addition to his ongoing contributions to the Pokémon TCG, Mitsuhiro Arita shares his broader artistic journey through his official website, mitsuhiroarita.com. There, fans can explore his portfolio, purchase signed prints, and keep up with his latest projects. Arita continues to work across a wide range of fantasy and sci-fi genres, contributing to franchises like Final Fantasy, Star Wars, and Monster Hunter. He’s also active on social media and YouTube, where he gives fans behind-the-scenes insights into his creative process, live drawing sessions, and travels around the world for conventions and signings.
References
Arita, M., n.d. Mitsuhiro Arita – Official Website. [online] Available at: https://www.mitsuhiroarita.com [Accessed 30 Jun. 2025].
Bulbapedia, 2025. Mitsuhiro Arita - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia. [online] Available at: https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Mitsuhiro_Arita [Accessed 30 Jun. 2025].
CGC Cards, 2023. Top 10 Most Valuable Pokémon Cards Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita. [online] Available at: https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/11914/ [Accessed 30 Jun. 2025].
Pokémon TCG, 2025. Card Database. [online] Available at: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/pokemon-cards/ [Accessed 30 Jun. 2025].
TCGPlayer, 2025. Market Prices for Classic Pokémon Cards. [online] Available at: https://www.tcgplayer.com [Accessed 30 Jun. 2025].
